City Guide: Hampton

The March opening of the Peninsula Town Center — with more than 50 new stores and restaurants — has established Hampton as one of the most vibrant communities in Hampton Roads.

The Town Center, located near the intersection of Interstates 64 and 664, will eventually have more than 70 outlets and is the largest economic development project in city history.

With miles of waterfront, dozens of historic sites and a busy downtown, Hampton residents can boast about being the center of Hampton Roads.

And although the Peninsula Town Center has eclipsed other retail developments, the commercial district known as the Power Plant also continues to grow, with the opening earlier this year of the third NASCAR Sports Grille in the nation.

The futuristic-looking Hampton Coliseum — not exactly one of the most historic sights in a city that is celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2010is 40 this year and scheduled to get a new roof.

Combining the past and the future, the city's 400th celebrations have concentrated on the influence of the European, African American and Native Indian cultures — an influence that will be marked with a permanent statue.

The Buckroe community continues to change, and if you're interested in outdoor activities a fishing pier was recently built in the area. There are also plans for an extensive trail system at Newmarket Creek.

Downtown, meanwhile, has new condominiums and high-end apartments, and is known for artistic outlets such as the Blue Skies gallery.

At Fort Monroe, the Army is preparing to leave in September 2011, and an 11-person board is working to plan some future use for the historic waterfront base — which includes America's oldest stone fort.